The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-03
THE rEmprER.s woRK.
Some of the Secret History of How Robinson
Was Influenced to Change.

Some of the Secret History of How Robinson
Was Influenced to Change.
Murder will out, and so will the secret his
tory of the senatorial deadlock. The story of
the struggle that ended yesterday is full of
Interest After all persuasion had failed to
move Robinson, the Democrats had instructions
sent to Democrats in all parts of the State di-
recting them TO write to Robinson urging him
to change his vote to Turpie His own con-
stituents had been especially appealed to, and
he received imploring communications from
nearly every prominent Democrat in his dis
trict The communications appeared to have
no effect upon him, and he still plainly told the
Democrats that he would never give David
Turpie his support The Knights were for
a time alarmed, but Robinson assured
them that if every man in his dis
Grict should write to him, he would
not be moved from his determination to stand
by the compact. He was approached with the
proposition to vote for some other Democrat
besides Turpie who would be more favorable to
the Knights. That matter was referred So
the KniE OF Labor election committee and
they refused to entertain any such proposition,
and Robinson agreed to abide by their decision.
When these plans had proved unsuccessful the
Democrats broke faith with him. The idea of
ever influencing him by legitimate means to
support their candidate was abandoned, and, at
the suggestion of the corrupting gang
of the city, it was resolved, as the
last resort, to tempt him. The party caucuses
were abandoned, and all the work was left to a
committee appointed for the purpose of placing
the tempter in Robnson's path. There no
one in the city with whom he was very familiar,
and for time the committee was at loss to
know who to get to carry out the scheme. The
person wanted had to be man who
Gould be shadow to Robinson-who
could eat with him, drink with him, and sleep
with him. The only available who pos
sessed ali the desired qualities was Sam Will
iams, of Vincennes. He had always been Rob
1nson's most intimate friend, and knew we'll all
his weak points He was sent for.
between him and the committee is only a
matter of conjecture, and can best be arrived
Ct by considering the result to be attained
Williams received his instructions the night he
came and the next day began work on Robin
BON. Those who have been frequenters of the
hotels know that he has been with him day and
night. He followed him to the House chamber.
hnd back to the hotel. he ete with him, and
toafed with him in the hotel lobby. or wherever
the independent desired to go. He retired with
him. and, in fact, to him as he had prom
fsed to be-a shadow.
Williams began to only persuasion, and
/. ShOugot ne was having some success, Wnen one
of the assemblies Of the Knights of Labor in the
cty unanimously passed resolutions condemnne
the labor members who had refused to support
Allen. All his efforts were lost with that action
gor Robinson again saw that there was only one
Ahing for him to do, and that was to keep his
Faith with the Knights and support Allen to the
bnd. 1t was then that the programme agreed
hpon by the committee was pressed further
AS the first step on the downward road, the
local Doodle talent enticed Robinson to Their
rooms, to play cards. Williams was always will
him. He was one Of the most honest players
ever saw" said a local Democrat yesterday, who
had been with the crowd that were enticing hin
on by degrees. HE was the first man / ever
eaw that wouldn't cheat at game of cards
Mr.. Robinson thus enticed further on int
the net the gang had set for him, until he finally
crossed the Rubicon.
When Williams had him we'll under his con
troll, the latter part of last week, it is said tina
Robinson agreed to give the proposition SOM
consideration, if the Knights of Labor would
withdraw their resolutions SO bitterly censurin,
the labor members who aad supported Harrison
The work in that direction was soou done Tbt
committee looked after the matter at once, ant
the ne2t day all the censured Representative
received letter purporting to come from
one of the Master Workmen in the city. Stain
that the action of the assembly had been done i
haste. and was unwise and untmely. The LEI
ter, ii IL was genuine, was the sentiment OF Oh
one man. and not of the assembly that passe
the resolutions by a unanimous vote. However
the work had been we'll done blythe committees
and it had some effect on Robinson. 1t afforde
a loophole for escaping the wrath of tn
knights.
The Democrats began to urge Williams
press his point, and secure election, if poss
ble before the decision of the Supreme Coul
was handed down, as that would release tn
Republicans from the compromise agreemen
into which they had entered. Williams di
begin to urge his point 1t was evident fror
Robinson's actions Friday that something wa
troubling his mind. Williams still clung to hin
and there was much secret comforting between tn
Knox county worker and the committee havin
in charge the job, Friday night there 5
cret meeting at the Grand Hotel, and what
was for no one knew, save those who were pc
United to enter the sacred walls of the room
which it was held. At late hour Sim Coy W,